Human chromosome 16 genes, compositions, methods of making and using same

Abstract

This invention provides an isolated human netrin polypeptide. Netrins define a family of diffusable factors involved in axon outgrowth.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An isolated human netrin (hNET) polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:21 or a polypeptide having conservative amino acid substitutions of SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
       2. The isolated human netrin (hNET) polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
       3. A composition comprising the isolated human netrin polypeptide of any of claims 1 to 2, and a carrier. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       5. An isolated human netrin polypeptide, produced by the method comprising: a) introducing into a host cell a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of any of claims 1 to 2, growing the cell under conditions suitable for transcription and translation of the nucleic acid, thereby producing the netrin polypeptide; and   b) isolating the polypeptide so produced.   
     
     
       6. A human netrin polypeptide of claim 5, wherein the nucleic acid further comprises nucleotide sequences that encode additional amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal amino acids which function as tags for immunopurity purification.